Our Mission

 

The mission of Iowa Kidstrong, Inc. is to promote healthy, active lifestyles among children.

 

Iowa Kidstrong, Inc. initiatives support and supplement elementary school physical education and health programs and are designed to target children at an early and impressionable age.

 

Iowa Kidstrong, Inc. is also committed to reinforcing the goals of children in the home and broader community setting by reaching out to adults as parents, mentors, role models, and decision makers for their families and to older youth as they acquire autonomy in personal decision making and as role models for younger children. It is the vision of Iowa Kidstrong, Inc. to interrupt the controllable patterns that lead to poor health creating a wellness culture that recycles itself for generations to come.

A Message from

Founder and CEO

Cindy Elsbernd

 

 

Greetings!

 

           I founded Iowa Kidstrong, Inc. in 2005 in response to what has been declared one of today’s most pressing threats to our children and families - childhood obesity (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, American Heart Association, American Stroke Association, 2005). Leading factors contributing to this epidemic are decreased physical activity, increased inactivity, and poor dietary practices (CDC). In the last three decades, the rate of childhood obesity for children ages 6 to 11 has more than tripled. Kids are being diagnosed with conditions previously thought of as adult illnesses like hypertension and Type 2 diabetes. The psycho social implications and associated stigmas also take a toll. Kids say that being teased and left out are the worst aspects of being overweight (Childhood Obesity - a Societal Problem to Solve, Schwartz, M. B.; Puhl, R.).

           Turning the current trends of inactivity and poor nutrition downside up is crucial in impacting the current and future health of our children. As mentioned above, these factors lead to a number of detrimental health consequences and as unhealthy children grow into unhealthy adults, they bear the reality of a shorter life expectancy. The burden of the obesity beast can also be seen in terms of health care costs – Iowans spend $783 million annually on obesity-related health concerns (Finkelstein, Fiebelkorn, & Wang, 2004). In addition, The Learning Connection: the Value of Improving Nutrition and Physical Activity in Our Schools, a report released by the organization Action for Healthy Kids, documents how these same factors adversely affect academic achievement.

           Our KidStriders program provides schools and families a foundation for the promotion of physical activity. Its noncompetitive nature makes it appealing to a wide range of students regardless of athletic ability and provides the additional benefit of enhanced self-esteem that comes from reaching goals and realizing one’s ability to do so.

           As our organization grows we will continue to work toward that end with the gracious support of friends like you. We look forward to a partnership in making this difference. Please consider supporting our organization with a tax deductible donation today.

Healthy and Happy Regards,

Cindy Elsbernd

Donate Now

515.255.8021

cindy@iowakidstrong.com

 

659 46th Street

Des Moines, IA 50312

Copyright © 2009 Iowa Kidstrong, Inc. All rights reserved.